The Sard MC8-R was a modified and lengthened version of the SW20 built for GT racing by Toyota's works team SARD (Sigma Advanced Research Development). The MC8-R housed a twin-turbo version of the 4.0 liter Toyota 1UZ-FE V8 producing 600 bhp (450 kW).[23] Eligible for the GT1 category, the MC8-R lacked pace against the new generation sports cars and homologation specials such as Porsche 911 GT1, but did compete alongside a similarly modified Toyota Supra. One MC8 road car was built in order to meet homologation requirements, but its current whereabouts are unknown.

A SARD MC8 road car built for homologation

1995 and 1996The MC8-R made its first outing in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans piloted by Alain Ferté, Kenny Acheson, and Tomiko Yoshikawa. It retired after 14 laps. Later that year the car attempted the 1000km Suzuka, this time managing to finish 26th overall.One MC8-R was entered in the 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans, piloted by Masanori Sekiya, Hidetoshi Mitsusada, and Masami Kageyama. The team qualified 37th and finished 24th, second-to-last of finishers.

1997The team also entered the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans, but driver Olivier Grouillard failed to make it past pre-qualifying.[24] Two cars were also entered in the FIA GT Championship round at the 1997 Suzuka 1000km (one by Team Menicon SARD and one entered by IDC Ootsukakagu SARD), but neither car managed to finish. It was replaced for the following year with the Toyota GT-One.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_MR2#Le_Mans:_SARD_MC8-R

This very elusive animal was produce purely so that the race-car could compete. Hence only 1 was ever made for homologation rules... Information is very sketchy as to it's whereabouts but the last i had heard is that it had sold for over $90'000 USD to a private collector. How much of this is true i am unsure...! Though it is known that the road car had the same engine and gearbox as the 1995 race car. As far as i know, these are the only two pictures.....http://www.allcarindex.com/auto-car-model/Japan-Sard-MC8/

Where did she go? I wonder if the power of the internet will help us find her.

First lets start with who she is. This car is one of the most rare and unique artifacts of JDM tuning. It is a GT1 car produced by SARD in 1995 as a street homologation model. For the MC8 race car there was only one street version ever made and it’s whereabouts are unknown. I’d put this as one of the most rare and unique street cars ever to come out of the Japanese tuning world and I’m fascinated to know what ever happened to it!

The car is built off of a SW20 MR-2 chassis that has been elongated and powered by a 1UZ-FE which was twin turbo’d to put out 600hp. The car has that perfect mid ’90′s JDM race car vibe to it. It’s not terribly pretty by modern and/or mainstream standards, but the hardcore golden era JDM style it masters makes up for it’s somewhat unusual looks.

The race version of the cars ran 24 hours of Le Mans in 1995,1996 and 1997 as well as the FIA GT Championship and a few other races before retiring.

The SARD MC8R is a slightly lengthened Toyota MR2, with the V8 Lexus 1UZ-FE engine mounted longitudinally (plus two KKK turbochargers). Power output is about 600hp. Competed in the LeMans 24 Hour race in June 15-16, 1996

Sard MC8-R/Sard Co Ltd. (1995)

Frame: monoshell steel

Engine: V8 Lexus

2 KKK turbos

3968 cc

600 CH at 6100 t/mn

70 mkg at 5000 t/mn

Electronic Management EFI

Transmission: Hewland VGC with 6 Speeds

Dimensions

Weight: 1273 kg

E: 2m83

L: 4m50

L: 1m88

H: 1m08

Tires: Dunlop

Rims: Rays

Brakes: Alcon

Top Speed: Over 264 km/h

Sard MC8-R/TEAM Menicon Sard (1996)

Frame: monoshell steel

Body: kevlar and carbon fiber:

Engine

V8 with 90° standard Lexus R40 V-T in central position prepared by SARD